THE ELECTIONS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22516, 26 September 1938, Page 16

THE ELECTIONS

TO TSS EDITOR OF THX FBEBS. Sir.—A couple of days ago I received an election pamphlet from Mr £. JHoward, the member and candidate for Christchufch South. This proved to be of more than ordinary interest. In the first place Mr Howard, throughout his long career, has consistently, and apparently with pride, claimed to be 100 per cent. Socialist every time. I think this is very much to his credit. Next, the last section of his pamphlet, under the heading of "New Zealand s march to Socialism," comprises a iccord of no fewer than 90 outstanding measures passed into law by 12 wv ernments of this country during the last 74 years. Four administrations Stand out. Seddon took 14 forward Steps—fewer than one might expect, seeing that his Government was in power for 13 years and he himself was often referred to as the worst of the "seven devils of Socialism." Six yeais later Mr Massey. who remained m power for exactly the same time (id years), took 13 steps along the same road. This is surprising; but there is a greater surprise in store. Coming to more recent years we discover that the Government immediately preceding the present, the Coalition or Forbes-Coates Government. which brought this country through probably the worst four years of its history, actually takes the prize through having placed on the Statute Book no fewer than 16 measures designed for the better government of the country and the improvement of the lives of its people. The present Government, with its record of 14, is beaten by two: but it is only fair to remember that the Coalition had four years to Labours three. It certainly does seem strange, when one listens to the rather heartrending stories which some of the Labour Ministers and other speakers are so fond of telling about "healing the broken country," and so forth, the '•healers" being of course the benevolent Mr Savage and his associates, while the "breakers" were those two wicked monsters. Mr Forbes and Mr The "point of all this is, of course, that it does not appear to matter very much what name any government may choose to call itself. It may be Conservative, Liberal, Labour, or anything else; progress goes on just the same and goes on at a remarkably even pace. These facts, coming as they do from such a stalwart and consistent Labourite as Mr E. J. Howard, should carry great weight at the coming elections. His article concludes with the apt remark: "And she still goes marching on." It is to be hoped that she will still go marching on in the future, and after listening carefully to the two two-hour speeches by the present Prime Minister and the would-be Prime Minister, broadcast throughout the country last Thursday and Friday evenings, I am strongly of the opinion that the progress is likely to be on sounder and better lines under the leadership of Mr Adam Hamilton than under that of Mr Michael Savage.— Yours, etc..

GEORGE INGHAM, September 25, 1938.

"Wide. Awake."—Mr Hamilton certainly spent all the evening explaining bis policy, but he could not tell his listeners where the finance was coming from, if he intends to reduce to many taxes. I feel sure our young men do not share Mr Hamilton's rosy memories of beautiful rural life, When, under the Coalition they

were employed in country camps at 10s 6d a week.

"Penso." —I listened in last night to the broadcast from St. James* Theatre. Tkj Hon. Mr Hamilton is certainly a great speaker.

W Mosdell.—To me the National Party appears to be destitute of personality, zeal, or enthusiasm for its cause. It lacks the force and energy displayed by its opponents. Mr Hamilton tells what we already know, that the bulk of taxation is paid by the rank and file of the people. He talks of the unemployment tax as though the question had never been approached before. . . . Mr Hamilton speaks of lowering taxation. Can he do so without incurring the displeasure of his supporters? Though the present tax is a heavy one, it is at least tolerable and can be endured so long as the present rate of wages continues.

Extracts from other letters on the | same subject read as follows: George McCormick (Belfast) Nationalism ... is only watered down Toryism. What of Socialism. I well remember when the Hon. John Ballance came into -power with his Public Works Minister (Richard Seddon), Minister for Lands (John McKenzie), and Minister for Education (William P. Reeves). What a howl from the squatter-controlled press, when the graduated land tax was introduced with the object of splitting up big estates. The leasehold tenure was adopted (the Rt. Hon. William Massey annulled it), and some who are designated honest owe their rise to fame to their drawing a section, at a peppercorn rental, and are spreading the "ware wolf" cry of Socialism to-day. Electors should know their man, and those responsible for that disaster should get their "running shoes"

"A Superannuitant's Youth." —Mr Hamilton says he will reduce taxation. Who is squealing about taxation, anyway? We are better able to pay our taxes now, and have more money left than ever before, and our taxes are going to people who need the help—widows, invalids, old-age pensioners, young children, etc. The Nationalist cry against Labour's aims is "It can't be done." I say, "Give Labour its chance, and New Zealand will be the #nvy of the world." It can be done. The Government's social security scheme is the most humane and Christian legislation ever put on the Statute Book of any country.

"Garcon," in repy to "Woolston," | reminds him that it is "ludicrous to make comparisons where no basis for comparison exists, and asks this question: "How could New Zealand help being involved in an international depression which affected other countries just as much as ourselves?" "The lesson to be learnt from this crisis by the 174,000,000 people who speak the English language," says "White Waters," is that in spite of appearances, "race antipathy is not implanted in man by Nature, and it is futile in dealing with, war Uo deal with the occasions out of which it comes, until we have brought to.the surface the deeper causes of which these occasions are merely the : > expression. In short the. foundation* of peace on this planet .workingclass power and control." '•■'"'-.''.

"Nothing Fantastic. -Please," commenting on the reference of a 17-year-old correspondent, "Woolston," to unforgettable memories • of the depression years, observes that "Woolston "• between 1931 and 1935, from 10 years of. age,jto; 14"— a period during which it was remarkable thaf he should "give; so-, much thought to such a subject." '*> Also in-reply to "Woolston," "Over 21" desires to say that "under this prosperous regime of the Savage Goverrimehtlthe 'Workers are still lining up on charitable aid day at the Christchurch Hospital."

Tim Healey.—On a Friday night, when most of the workers are busy selling groceries and vegetables, Mr Hamilton's meeting is packed to the doors, with hundreds*outside. This takes spme. thinking! Perhaps it's a good thing he was only* given that night,' and-hundreds had to work, or else the foundations .of the street might have given way with his supporters. J. Hill.—The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, opening his campaign at Waikari, said that "we, must all. realise that if we had- a depression again and wages were fixed at "a rigid, level, then the only way to meet the situation would be to reduce the number of employees." The National Party manifesto is silent on the question of dismissing employees, but states that there will be no reduction in wages. Wherein lies the difference? To reduce'wages is bad enough, but to dismiss employees is infinitely worse.